Beaver Marquis Bose Replacement
I am in the process of replacing the audio/video system in my new (to me) 1999 Beaver Marquis. I've taken out the Bose surround sound amp, and Lifestyle player, but can not find the Bose Acoustimass ...
Forum Discussion
Yesterday I did my cutting of the Marquis dash piece to enlarge the radio opening to allow the double din cage to fit through it - pushing it into the front. I taped the wood side of the dash piece with blue painter tape on all 4 sides of the original opening.
I measured 5/16ths of an inch above and 1/4 inch below so that the total opening was 9/16ths of an inch higher along the entire length to fit my radio's double din cage. I purchased a dremel 200 from Home Depot and got 5 carbon tipped blades. After marking off the two lines described above on the metal side, I cut the lower stud in this area first (that stud was used to attach the dash piece to the fiberglass dash but I've got 5 left which should be enough to hold it firmly in place). Besides, I noted, when I took the dash out that this particular stud didn't even have a nut on it to secure it.
I took my time but it still only took about 5 minutes or so before I could smell the (and see the smoke) carbide saw wheel cutting through to the wood side for my line. After making sure I'd hit wood and gone clear through, I unclamped the piece and examined the other side. I also had to cut up the right and left sides of the opening to finish cutting the piece. After that the tape I'd used was cut through with a knife and I found I'd not harmed my dash finish at all with this process.
I then took a break, then came back and finished the lower (1/4in) cutout side in the same fashion. Again no harm to the original finish. So I am glad I didn't pay Car Toys for a ridiculous install simply because they were afraid of damaging the wood finish.
But, after cleaning up the edges (using an attachment included in the dremel 200 kit - saving the price of a carbide bit I'd purchased for this purpose), and fitting the double din through the front of the dash radio cutout, I found that when pressing the radio head in, it does stick out nearly 3/4 inches. I thought it would be more flush but I guess if I'd looked at it earlier I would have known. I didn't think that would be a big deal as I thought the radio trim piece could cover entirely the double din cage edges but no such luck.
The result is that even though I didn't mar the exotic wood trim, I will still have to finish the front with a custom wood trim piece to cover the perimeter of the cage and fit snuggle around the protruding radio head. I plan on staining this piece or perhaps simply painting it black, then I will place a wood trim behind the opening as well, then attach the front trim (which shows) to this hidden trim piece with 2 wood screws (black screws). I may also create openings in the trim piece to allow for the USB and IPOD adaptors to poke out on either side of the radio. Keep in mind the width of the old Bose was about 3/4 of an inch wider so by centering the new radio into the cutout I still have that space available. The only decision is to center the radio is push it to one side or the other. My gut tells me to center it, then allow one cable on each side to poke out.
Regardless of how the radio is centered this install will allow a perfectly serviceable radio change out if necessary or desired later by myself or the next owner. All they'd have to do is remove the two screws to gain access to the double din cage key slots, insert the two keys and the radio will pop out. Just hope my custom bezel cover fits their new radio head or they'll have to create another one!
I measured 5/16ths of an inch above and 1/4 inch below so that the total opening was 9/16ths of an inch higher along the entire length to fit my radio's double din cage. I purchased a dremel 200 from Home Depot and got 5 carbon tipped blades. After marking off the two lines described above on the metal side, I cut the lower stud in this area first (that stud was used to attach the dash piece to the fiberglass dash but I've got 5 left which should be enough to hold it firmly in place). Besides, I noted, when I took the dash out that this particular stud didn't even have a nut on it to secure it.
I took my time but it still only took about 5 minutes or so before I could smell the (and see the smoke) carbide saw wheel cutting through to the wood side for my line. After making sure I'd hit wood and gone clear through, I unclamped the piece and examined the other side. I also had to cut up the right and left sides of the opening to finish cutting the piece. After that the tape I'd used was cut through with a knife and I found I'd not harmed my dash finish at all with this process.
I then took a break, then came back and finished the lower (1/4in) cutout side in the same fashion. Again no harm to the original finish. So I am glad I didn't pay Car Toys for a ridiculous install simply because they were afraid of damaging the wood finish.
But, after cleaning up the edges (using an attachment included in the dremel 200 kit - saving the price of a carbide bit I'd purchased for this purpose), and fitting the double din through the front of the dash radio cutout, I found that when pressing the radio head in, it does stick out nearly 3/4 inches. I thought it would be more flush but I guess if I'd looked at it earlier I would have known. I didn't think that would be a big deal as I thought the radio trim piece could cover entirely the double din cage edges but no such luck.
The result is that even though I didn't mar the exotic wood trim, I will still have to finish the front with a custom wood trim piece to cover the perimeter of the cage and fit snuggle around the protruding radio head. I plan on staining this piece or perhaps simply painting it black, then I will place a wood trim behind the opening as well, then attach the front trim (which shows) to this hidden trim piece with 2 wood screws (black screws). I may also create openings in the trim piece to allow for the USB and IPOD adaptors to poke out on either side of the radio. Keep in mind the width of the old Bose was about 3/4 of an inch wider so by centering the new radio into the cutout I still have that space available. The only decision is to center the radio is push it to one side or the other. My gut tells me to center it, then allow one cable on each side to poke out.
Regardless of how the radio is centered this install will allow a perfectly serviceable radio change out if necessary or desired later by myself or the next owner. All they'd have to do is remove the two screws to gain access to the double din cage key slots, insert the two keys and the radio will pop out. Just hope my custom bezel cover fits their new radio head or they'll have to create another one!
